Pension Scams Begin

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With the advent of new freedom and choice laws relating to pensions, our fears have been confirmed that sophisticated scammers were ready to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers.

A recent report produced by the Citizens Advice Bureau found that people aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely to be targeted by fraudsters as the average CAB Client that has come to the organisation to report a fraud or scam.

The report identifies five key types of pension scam which include moving savings from your savings to a new pension, fake investment opportunities or offering free “advice” or service.

The idea of free “advice” is in itself flawed and should be cause for alarm. Any person, legitimate or not, offering advice is definitely not doing so for free. Their payment will likely come from the provider of the investment or “opportunity” the investor puts money into. This places the person giving the advice in a situation where by it may be more lucrative for them to put you in one product over another simply because the commission or fee for making the introduction is better. This ultimately means the onus can shift from doing what is right for the investor to doing what is best financially for the person giving the advice.

Scammers will often apply undue pressure to secure any transaction, if you feel as though you are being under pressure to make a decision regarding your pension, or you believe you are being targeted by Pension scammers please do get in touch.

Investor Protectors can provide Extended Due Diligence on any company that is offering you a service. If you are tempted, before you proceed, talk to us, it may very well be the best thing you do.